A Review of Main Factors Involved in the Maturation of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Fruit Bunches

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a diploid perennial plant of the Arecaceae family. It is the most important plant cultivated for oil production. To ensure this production, certain optimal conditions are required: temperature, sunshine, rainfall, etc. The oil palm ensures its survival through the fruits borne on bunches located at the axis of the 17th to 20th leaves from the central stem. From pollination to the maturity of a bunch it takes about 4.5 to 6 months. Several events occur during this period: seed enlargement, weight increase, colour change, etc., but also important physiological changes: synthesis of some pigments (anthocyanin), increase in oil content correlated with the decrease in water content, etc. All of these constitute factors that can provide a better understanding of the biology of the seed. The aim of this work was to review some of the important parameters involved in the development and maturation of oil palm fruit bunches. These factors are classified into physiological, biochemical as well as environmental. The physiological parameters are color, appearance of embryo, seed weight and fruit detachment from bunches;Biochemical parameters include water content, oil content, carbohydrate, protein, mineral contents and lipase activity while temperature is the main environmental factor that affects fruit maturation. Thorough research has not yet been done at the different stages of maturation and ripening, thus a deep look into this may open up new avenues for research on early germinated oil palm seed production prior to seed dormancy.

Kinetics of Cd^(2+) and Cr^(3+) Sorption from Aqueous Solutions Using Mercaptoacetic Acid Modified and Unmodified Oil Palm Fruit Fibre (Elaeis guineensis) Adsorbents

The kinetics of the sorption of Cd^2＋ and CF^3＋ from aqueous solutions by mercaptoacetic acid modified and unmodified oil palm fruit fibre adsorbents were investigated. The results indicate that sorption equilibrium was reached within 60 min for both metals. Also, the removal efficiency of the three adsorbents was observed to increase for both metals with stronger treatments with mercaptoacetic acid. This may be attributed to the influence of the thiolation of the adsorbents. Furthermore, Cr^3＋ had higher removal percentages than Cd^2＋ for all the adsorbents. The sorption mechanism based on the intraparticle diffusion model shows that Cd^2＋ sorption is better described than Cr^3＋. The intraparticle diffusion rate constants, Kid, for Cd^2＋ are 62.04 min^-1 （untreated）, 67.01 min^-1 （treated with 0.5 mol/L mercaptoacetic acid）, and 71.43 min^-1 （treated with 1.0 mol/L mercaptocacetic acid） while those for Cr^3＋ are 63.41 min^-1 （untreated）, 65.79 min （0.5 mol/L acid treated）, and 66.25 min^-1 （1.0 mol/L acid treated）.

Statistical optimization of adsorption processes for removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol by activated carbon derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches

The adsorption capacity of activated carbon produced from oil palm empty fruit bunches through removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol from aqueous solution was carried out in the laboratory. The activated carbon was produced by thermal activation of activation time with 30 min at 800℃. The adsorption process conditions were determined with the statistical optimization followed by central composite design. A developed polynomial model for operating conditions of adsorption process indicated that the optimum conditions for maximum adsorption of phenolic compound were： agitation rate of 100 r/min, contact time of 8 h, initial adsorbate concentration of 250 mg/L and pH 4. Adsorption isotherms were conducted to evaluate biosorption process. Langmuir isotherm was more favorable （R^2=0.93） for removal of 2,4-dichlorophenol by the activated carbon rather than Freundlich isotherm （R^2=0.88）.

Impact of Progressive Pruning on Leaf Miner (Coelaenomenodera lameensis) Incidence and the Yield of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) —A Case Study of Benso Oil Palm Plantation Plc, Adum Banso Estate, Ghana

The oil palm leaf miner, Coelaenomenodera lameensis, is currently the most destructive pest of oil palm in Ghana and other African oil palm growing countries, causing significant losses in fresh fruit bunch yield. Progressive pruning is an oil palm pruning method in which pruning is done at the same time as fresh fruit bunch harvesting. This study evaluated the impact of progressive pruning on leaf miner population in oil palm and how these two factors (leaf miner and progressive pruning) affect the yield of oil palm at the Benso Oil Palm Plantation Public listed company (BOPP. Plc). Five distinct blocks in the plantation were selected for observations on fronds at various ranks (33, 25, or 17) based on the degree of defoliation by counting the number of pests on leaflets at different phases of insect development. Fronds from selected plots were sampled in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The size of plots used for the study ranged between 19 to 45 hectares. A minimum of 78 fronds were evenly cut from each block for pest count depending on the block size. Secondary data on annual yields of fresh fruit bunches before and after the introduction of progressive pruning were also obtained from BOPP. Plc records from 2011-2020. The results from the analyzed data on leaf miner index before and after the introduction of progressive pruning showed that progressive pruning has, to a high extent (64% to 36%), reduced leaf miner populations in the plantation. Paired t-test on fresh fruit bunch yield has also revealed a significant (p < 0.001) increase in annual fresh fruit bunch yield due to progressive pruning. A regression analysis, however, revealed a lower rate of yield loss (3.05 to 2.70 tonnes) to leaf miner infestation after the introduction of progressive pruning. The study recommends progressive pruning as a key cultural practice for improving crop yields in leaf miner prone plantations.

Development of Autonomous Travelling Device for Oil Palm FFB （Fresh Fruit Bunches） Harvester

Robot technology is a very promising technology for agricultural sector, but the existing industrial robot could not deliver the above-mentioned criteria. Industrial robot mainly uses high voltage electrical power, which is not available at field and outdoor operation. The only available and reliable power is a hydraulic from the tractor. The harvester robot consumes the hydraulic power from the tractor and at the same time the tractor can be used as a traveling device for the robot. This paper describes the study on the development of autonomous tractor for the oil palm harvester. The development took considerations on the design of the electro-hydraulic system and the control software for the robot structure to be flexible enough to operate in plantation environment.

Bio-Oil Production by Pyrolysis of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch in Nitrogen and Steam Atmospheres

This work investigated the bio-oil production from oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) by continuous pyrolysis reactor under nitrogen and steam atmospheres as sweeping gas. The study parameters were particle size, biomass feeding rate, reactor temperature, and reactor sweeping gas. The EFB particle ranges were below 500 micrometers, between 500 - 1180 micrometers and 1180 - 2230 micrometers. Feeding rates were 150, 350, and 550 rpm. Both factors were analyzed by single factor ANOVA. Additionally, Box-Behnken design was used to investigate temperature (350oC - 600oC) under the following nitrogen and steam flow rates as sweeping gas: 0, 100, and 200 cm3/min of nitrogen and 0, 9, and 18 cm3/min of steam. The mathematical model from Box-Behnken design succeeded in predicting the optimal conditions for normal and nitrogen atmospheres. A particle size below 1180 μm was determined to be optimal for bio-oil production. In a normal atmosphere or no sweeping gas, the condition was 475oC and 450 rpm of feed rate. The optimal condition for nitrogen atmosphere was 530oC, 450 rpm of feed rate, and 200 cm3/min of nitrogen flow rate. However, steam as sweeping gas caused high uncertainty and the model was unable to predict the optimal conditions accurately. The biooils from normal, nitrogen, steam, and mixed atmospheres were analyzed for general characteristics. NMR and GC-MS were used to analyze chemical compositions in the bio-oils. Relationships between physical and chemical characteristics were determined and discussed.

Environmental Friendly Lightweight Material from Natural Fibers of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch

Indonesia is the most producer of crude palm oil (CPO) worldwide with production more that 25 million tons in 2013. Through increasing production of CPO the wastes generated are growing up as well. The empty fruit bunch of oil palm (EFB) is one of the solid waste (biomass) which is generated at the palm oil mill. Its amount is equivalent to the CPO production, but only about 50% of its weight are good fibers for further usage as industrial raw material. The EFB fiber consists an interesting honey comb/lightweight structure. By mixing the EFB natural fiber with bio binding agent based on potato the environmental friendly materials (biocomposites) can be produced which are 100% biodegadrable. The biocomposites with 2 mm thickness have strengthness about 7 GPa according to the 3 points bending test standard of DIN 53 457. After coating process the environmental friendly lightweight materials with density less than 0.4 g/cm3 will be ready to be implemented for different technical applications.

Characterization of Formacell Lignin Derived from Black Liquor as a Potential Green Additive for Advanced Biocomposites

Black liquor is obtained as a by-product of the pulping process,which is used to convert biomass into pulp by removing lignin,hemicelluloses and other extractives from wood to free cellulose fibers.Lignin represents a major constituent in black liquor,with quantities varying from 20%to 30%,of which a very low share is used for manufacturing value-added products,while the rest is mainly burned for energy purposes,thus underestimating its great potential as a raw material.Therefore,it is essential to establish new isolation and extraction methods to increase lignin valorization in the development of bio-based chemicals.The aim of this research work was to determine the effect of KOH or ethanol concentration as an isolation agent on lignin yields and the chemical characteristics of lignin isolated from formacell black liquor of oil palm empty fruit bunch(OPEFB).Isolation of lignin was carried out using KOH with various concentrations ranging from 5%to 15%(w/v).Ethanol was also used to precipitate lignin from black liquor at concentrations varying from 5%to 30%(v/v).The results obtained showed that the addition of KOH solution at 12.5%and 15%concentrations resulted in better lignin yield and chemical properties of lignin,i.e.,pH values of 3.86 and 4.27,lignin yield of 12.78%and 14.95%,methoxyl content of 11.33%and 10.13%,and lignin equivalent weights of 476.25 and 427.03,respectively.Due to its phenolic structure and rich functional groups that are favorable for modifications,lignin has the potential to be used as a green additive in the development of advanced biocomposite products in various applications to replace current fossil fuel-based material,ranging from fillers,fire retardants,formaldehyde scavengers,carbon fibers,aerogels,and wood adhesives.

气相色谱-质谱法分析棕榈果脂肪酸组成

采用索氏抽提法分别提取棕榈果肉和棕榈果仁中的油脂,以氢氧化钾—甲醇溶液对油脂进行甲酯化处理,用气相色谱-质谱(GC-MS)法分析。从棕榈果肉和棕榈仁的油脂中均分离并鉴定了9种脂肪酸,其中棕榈果肉中饱和脂肪酸质量分数为49.5%,主要有棕榈酸和硬脂酸,不饱和脂肪酸主要有油酸、亚油酸以及少量的亚麻酸和13,16-二十二碳二烯酸。棕榈仁中饱和脂肪酸80%以上,其中月桂酸质量分数达到41.5%,肉豆蔻酸和棕榈酸含量也较高,此外还含有少量的己酸、辛酸、癸酸和硬脂酸,不饱和脂肪酸有油酸和亚油酸。

差式扫描量热法甄别椰子油中棕果油掺杂的应用研究

用差式扫描量热仪(DSC)对椰子油和棕果油进行热力学分析,研究混合油脂的热力学特性变化与棕果油掺杂量之间的相关性。结果显示,椰子油和棕果油的DSC图谱具有显著性的差异。随着棕果油的添入,混合油脂吸热峰的左侧逐渐出现一个新峰,同时峰值温度(T_(peak))、峰尾温度(T_(end))以及融化焓(△H)也均呈现出逐渐降低的趋势。一元线性回归分析发现,T_(end)、T_(peak)和△H3个变量与棕果油掺杂量之间呈现出了良好的线性关系,其中利用△H对掺杂量进行甄别的可靠性最大,可决系数(R^2)为0.997 2。DSC分析是甄别椰子油中棕果油掺杂的一个有效方法,具有便捷、快速以及准确性高等特点。

油棕果杀酵技术及设备的研究与利用现状

当前,我国面临化石燃料和工业用油短缺、食用油逐渐被外资垄断的严峻形势。油棕是重要的热带油料作物,可以在海南、广东等热带、亚热带地区大面积推广种植。目前,我国已经掌握油棕苗的组培技术,然而棕榈油提取技术的研究还处于起步阶段。阐述了油棕果杀酵技术及设备的研究与利用现状,以期为棕榈油杀酵技术及其设备的研制提供参考。

小型螺旋式油棕果榨油机的研制与试验研究

针对目前我国油棕产业刚起步而缺少小型油棕榨油设备的现状,在分析螺旋压榨原理的基础上,自行设计并研制了小型螺旋式油棕果榨油机。为验证设计的合理性和实用性,对其进行了性能试验研究,并对所得棕油进行了检测和分析。结果表明,样机性能达到设计指标,具有实用性。

油棕果实发育及中果皮内含物含量和抗氧化酶活性的变化规律

【目的】研究油棕果实发育过程中的内含物含量和抗氧化酶活性的变化规律,为油棕果实的生长发育调控提供理论依据。【方法】取不同发育时期(雌蕊及授粉1~5个月,记为0M,1M~5M)油棕雌蕊或果实,分别测定果重、果长、果宽,中果皮含油量、总糖含量、可溶性蛋白含量、过氧化氢(H_(2)O_(2))含量及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、苹果酸脱氢酶(MDH)、谷胱甘肽还原酶(GR)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)和过氧化物酶(POD)活性,分析各指标的变化规律和内含物与抗氧化酶活性的相关性。【结果】果实在授粉后2个月快速生长,至第5个月停止。木质素从授粉后1个月开始沉积,到果实成熟停止。中果皮含油量在果实发育前期缓慢上升,后期快速升高,含油量最后达46.02%;总糖含量在授粉后前期较高(92.69 mg/g),之后快速下降并维持不变;可溶性蛋白含量先上升后下降至雌花未授粉时的水平(0.18 g/L);H_(2)O_(2)含量急剧下降后维持较低水平,0M的H_(2)O_(2)含量最多(1582.44 mmol/g prot)。SOD活性先下降后上升,0M的总SOD活性最强(589.43 U/mg prot);MDH活性前期不变后期迅速增强,4M的MDH活性最高(4.71 U/mg prot);GR活性先升高后降低,1M时GR活性达最高值(0.0051 U/g prot);CAT活性呈波段变化,在4M时达最高值(59.72 U/mg prot);POD活性先下降后上升,5M时POD活性达最高值(287.94 U/mg prot)。油棕中果皮总糖含量与H_(2)O_(2)含量呈极显著正相关(P<0.01,下同),可溶性蛋白含量与总SOD活性呈极显著负相关,果实重量与果实大小呈极显著正相关。【结论】油棕果实发育过程中,早期高含量的糖和蛋白质为后期油脂和木质素积累打下基础,其中MDH和GR活性可作为判断果实生长发育状况的指标之一。

6YL-180型油棕果榨油机的研制

针对目前我国油棕产业刚起步而缺少小型油棕榨油设备的现状,自行研制了6YL-180型油棕果榨油机。该机具有结构简单、拆卸方便、易于加工制造及后续改进的特点。为此,介绍了6YL-180型油棕果榨油机的工作原理、结构特点、设计参数的选择及主要技术参数等。

杀酵方式对油棕果中微营养成分及挥发性香气物质的影响

利用微波、超声波、蒸煮、热风和蒸汽5种杀酵方式对新鲜油棕果进行预处理,筛选出能最大程度保持或提高油棕果维生素E和类胡萝卜素含量的杀酵方式进行优化,并分析最优杀酵处理对油棕果挥发性香气物质含量的影响。结果表明:蒸煮对维生素E含量提高最多,可增加至4.62 mg/g,而热风则能显著提高胡萝卜素的含量(0.48 mg/g)。优化后的蒸煮+微波复合杀酵方式能将维生素E和类胡萝卜素的含量分别增加到4.20 mg/g和0.55 mg/g;并能使苯酚含量由0.321%增加至26.471%,但该处理也使挥发性物质的绝对含量由0.031%降至了0.003%,部分成分如油酸乙酯的含量也由7.252%降低至2.304%。研究结果可为高附加值的棕榈油制备技术提供参考。

油棕果不同压榨条件对其果肉出油率的影响

油棕是热带地区重要油料作物,压榨是油棕果提取棕榈油的重点工艺环节,本文以出油率为评价指标,研究旨在为我国油棕果压榨设备的研制提供数据资料与参考。采用万能材料试验机通过对不同压榨压力、压榨温度、压榨时间等因素条件下的油棕果进行了压榨提取棕榈油试验,结果表明,压榨压力6 500N、压榨温度95℃、压榨时间25min时油棕果的出油率较高。

6YL—180型油棕果榨油机的改进设计

针对原有的6YL—180型油棕果榨油机前期试验过程中出现的问题,提出改进意见,采取增加榨料皮带输送机构、螺旋辅助进料机构等改进措施,明显提高6YL—180型油棕果榨油机的工作效率及性能。

5T-140型油棕果脱果机的研制

针对目前我国油棕产业刚起步急需小型棕榈油加工设备的现状,设计研制了5T-140型油棕果脱果机。该机具有使用方便、结构简单、拆卸方便、易于加工制造及可后续改进的特点。同时,主要介绍了5T-140型油棕果脱果机的工作原理、结构特点、主要技术参数及安装使用特点等。

油棕鲜果穗产量构成因素的相关性和回归分析

为明确油棕鲜果穗产量构成因素之间的关系,利用相关性、回归和通径等分析方法,对58株油棕单株鲜果穗产量与其它性状相关性进行了研究。结果表明:油棕鲜果穗产量与鲜果穗重和每株果穗数的相关性最为密切。另外,在油棕高产品种选育过程中,应着重对平均果穗重、每株果穗数、果实大小和含油量等性状进行选择,并综合权衡这些产量性状之间的相互作用。产量性状变异和相关性分析表明,平均种壳厚度变异程度最大(88.34%),平均果长变异最小(11.99%),鲜果穗产量与鲜果穗重、每株果穗数、平均果重呈极显著正相关关系(0.882**,0.714**,0.439**),与平均果长呈显著正相关关系(0.334*)。多元线性回归和通径分析结果表明,通过比较多元线性回归方程的相关参数,建立了可实用的最优多元线性回归方程x_1=-281.511+2.787x_4+3.455x_5-2.672x_6+0.411x_7+6.690x_8+3.664x_9,平均鲜果穗重和每株果穗数对单株鲜果穗产量的直接作用最大(0.670,0.439),其它性状对单株产量的直接作用较小,平均果重和平均果长对单株鲜果穗产量的间接作用最大(0.335,0.322)。该研究结果为油棕高产品种选育提供了依据。

一种适合油棕不同组织RNA提取的方法

获得高质量的RNA是开展油棕果实发育相关分子生物学基础研究的重要前提和保障。以油棕成熟果肉、胚乳、胚和胚芽4种组织为材料,分别采用Invitrogen公司的Trizol试剂和MRIP法提取总RNA,并比较其提取效果。结果表明:MRIP法提取的RNA质量较好,其中胚芽中的总RNA提取量高达2 139.0 ng/μL,而胚乳中的含量相比较低,仅为1 083.6 ng/μL;MRIP法的总体提取效果优于Trizol试剂,包括RNA完整性、含量、纯度等,适用于油棕及棕榈科植物总RNA提取。